Exploring Europe’s Rivers with Scenic

I chose Scenic for my two European river cruises since everything is included in your fare—dining, alcoholic drinks, and excursions. It was like going to a luxurious all-inclusive resort, except it was a ship on a river. Scenic river cruises provide luxury without being stuffy.

On European rivers, Scenic sails what they call Space-Ships. On these ships, the majority of the cabins have balconies—even the solo cabin has a balcony! These ships have a maximum of 163 passengers, so they are much smaller than an ocean cruise. However, there are still several options for dining, and with all your dining and the majority of your drinks included, you can indulge as much as you want. There is also a spa and sun deck for relaxing during your leisure time.

Scenic offers at least three included excursions in each port. There is usually at least one Active, Moderate, or Relaxed option to choose from. You and your cabin mate can even select different excursions, as my cousin and I did in Vienna. Also, since river cruises are smaller, you typically dock near the city center, which makes for easy exploring on your own. Many of their ships also have e-bikes you can use.

Scenic prides itself on providing an enriching experience. They will bring on musicians or guest lecturers for your entertainment. Also, every cruise typically has at least one evening enrichment activity involving some combination of art, music, and architecture. On both of my river cruises, we were treated to private classical music concerts in historic venues.

River cruises on Scenic may initially seem more expensive, but once you factor in all the inclusions it really is a great all-inclusive way to travel and explore.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.